10 incredible tiny houses you'll want to live in

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Tiny house, big appeal.

You might have seen the tiny house trend that's become increasingly popular in recent years. People have been building and living in tiny houses — like, really tiny houses — that are normally between 100 and 400 square feet. In some cases, you see entire families living together in these small spaces.

This is only achieved through careful planning and use of inventive storage space, which is what makes tiny houses so interesting. They may seem very limited and challenging to live in, but they really have everything you need. The minimalism is part of the appeal, and they are extremely rewarding to complete. They're also extremely cute. So here are ten tiny houses that you'll definitely wish you could live in.

1. A captivating storybook cottage.

This breathtaking cottage looks like it's been pulled straight from the pages of a storybook. It's located on the shoreline of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, and its owner, Bruce, says people often stare when sailing past on boats. But who can blame them?

The house gets its fairytale aesthetic from the natural materials and old-fashioned techniques it incorporates. Inside, the cottage is more contemporary, but maintains a homely feel with its large stone fireplace. We definitely wouldn't mind getting cosy here.

2. A foldable castle-truck.

This is one you'll have to see to believe. Upon their return to New Zealand after travelling the world, Jola and Justin needed a new place to call home. After buying a truck so they could remain mobile, they decided it just wasn't exciting enough.

They decided to decorate it in the most ambitious way possible - by transforming it into a fold-out castle. Once unfolded, the truck doubles in size and reveals an enchanting rustic castle underneath. The turrets contain a toilet and shower on either side, which is pretty cool. And somehow, the whole thing is completely road legal.

3. A school bus for a family of five.

Denver and Vanessa's family thought they were crazy when they decided to move themselves and their three sons to a school bus. They converted the bus into their very own tiny house, which included a roof raise and the addition of some clever storage solutions.

The coolest of these is built for the three children, who are homeschooled by their parents. In the master bedroom, the double bed pulls up and secures to reveal a chalkboard and desk underneath. Why can't all schools be this fun?

4. A dreamy houseboat.

We'd do anything to wake up in this tiny house on a sunny morning. Ian, a plumber and builder by trade, worked with an architect to make his vision of the ultimate houseboat a reality.

It's modern and open plan, with sliding doors on each wall that allow you to experience the entire ocean from the comfort of your home. The master bed is even raised so you have a clear view of the world as soon as you open your eyes. And at night, the whole boat is lit by lights under the canopy to give it the appearance of a Japanese lantern. It's definitely the most beautiful houseboat we've ever seen.

5. A beautiful hideaway in Alaska.

Ana White and her husband are builders in Alaska who have built loads of incredible tiny houses. Our favourite is this modern house built on a trailer, complete with a stunning view of snowy Alaska.

To keep as much open space in the house as possible, they created an elevator bed that can be moved up and down with the flick of a switch. The wooden coffee tables then double up as step stools to get onto the bed. Tiny homes truly have the most inventive use of space.

6. A sustainable shipping container home.

After buying a luxury five-bedroom house with a tennis court and pool, Matt and Ilse got sick of maintaining all the space they had. They also felt it prevented them from spending time with their three children. They eventually sold it, and inspired by other tiny houses online, decided to downsize in a dramatic way.

The couple ended up buying two 40ft shipping containers and went about making them homely. Joined together, the two containers create a tiny house that is larger than most, and the space is filled by its modern layout and furniture. The sliding doors in the living room open up to a beautiful deck with picnic tables. The house is also very eco-friendly, made entirely from recycled materials with solar panels on the roof.

7. A tiny mobile coffee shop.

Le Bon Café isn't your average coffee shop - it's a striking mobile tiny house. The shop became a reality through a collaboration between Mike, who was starting a tiny house company, and Chantal, who dreamed of opening a coffee shop. Together they designed and built this beautiful trailer house, which features stunning stained glass windows along the sides and on the door.

While Mike and Chantal technically don't live in the café, they do spend a lot of time in it. Le Bon Café has travelled to all kinds of festivals and events, and brings wonder to all who get to see it.

8. A feisty purple-haired grandma's treehouse.

Shawnee Chasser is quite a character. She realised after the birth of her first child that living indoors wasn't for her, as closed doors and windows made her feel anxious. For the past 25 years, she's lived in her Miami treehouse with her two dogs, two cats and raccoon. Yes, she even has a raccoon.

The treehouse is situated in a beautiful forest, protected by a canopy of trees. Shawnee has a breathtaking view of a flowing waterfall from her bed, and the house itself is very homely. She even has WiFi up there. But in 2016, the Miami government told Shawnee she must demolish her home due to planning violations, and tried to evict her. She refused to destroy her beloved home, and the dispute is still ongoing. She started a Go Fund Me to help her pay for fines and remodelling to make her treehouse meet government guidelines. You can still help Shawnee out here.

9. A gorgeous gypsy-style caravan.

Most caravans aren't all that attractive. Frenchy struggled with this when she decided she wanted to live in one, but also wanted something with personality. She decided to build her own, inspired by classic gypsy wagons.

The finished product is undeniably a work of art. It's been decorated from top to bottom by Frenchy's artistic friends, with the enchanting dragon painting on the door standing out the most. The fireplace inside connects to a small chimney, and the smoke that can be seen from outside is a really nice touch. Frenchy also says her caravan and the surrounding area is a paradise for her cat — she even had a little cat door built in underneath the kitchen shelves.

10. An enchanting fairytale cabin.

And finally, there's the Jack Sparrow House. It's located on a hilltop in Cornwall, and overlooks Falmouth Bay. The cottage uses natural wood and an abundance of fairy lights to give it a magical earthy feel. The upstairs bedroom is reached by a ladder and has a calming view of the sea, as well as fabric across the walls and a wooden chandelier of fairy lights that make it feel cosy.

And guess what? You can actually stay in this one. That's right, for £100 you can experience it for yourself. So if you ever fancy a short holiday in Cornwall, consider spending it right here in this tiny house.

Which would you like to live in the most? Personally, we wouldn't mind having every single one as a holiday home.